Glamping or glamorous camping has indeed caught the travel scene by storm — from Batangas to Tagaytay and Bataan to Zambales. Glam camps are becoming more and more popular, especially to weekend travelers, as they come already with a pre-pitched tent that feature airbeds or foam/cushion mattresses (with beddings) and basic amenities to make your camping more comfortable, eliminating the hassle of packing heavy camping gear.

Although a relative newcomer in the glamping universe, Sand and Stars Beach Camp — nestled in the fine-sand beach of Dinadiawan in Dipaculao — has caught the interest of many because of its close proximity to Baler, one of the country’s prime surfing destination. It offers various-sized glamping tents that can accommodate from four (Vega, Mars, Sirius, Rigel, Beta) to eight people (Supernova). Each glam tent comes with foam mattresses with beddings, a rechargeable fan and lamp, sockets for charging your gadgets, as well as a spacious “anteroom”, complete with throw pillows and a small table.

A couple of communal T&B are also available.

Published check in time is 0100PM and check out is 1100AM; however, depending on the availability of accommodations and volume of guests, management may allow early check in or late check out.

TRAVEL NOTES
* JoyBus is highly recommended for its comfort and prompt arrival in Baler, the jumpoff point to Dinadiawan. Make sure to get your tickets ahead of time. You can book online at iWantSeats Online Booking. Fare is P730 per pax, which includes snacks onboard. Travel time is 5hrs.

** D’Liner Bus (at Baler Bus Terminal, near the public market and a short walk from Genesis/Joy Bus Terminal) has two trips in the morning (6AM and 9AM) and one trip in the afternoon bound for Casiguran, which passes by Dinadiawan. Just tell the conductor that you’re getting off at Sand and Stars Beach Camp. Fare is P85 per pax. Travel time is 1.5hrs to 2 hrs. Several vans also ply the same route at P200 per pax.

*** You may opt to check out early if you want to catch the 0900AM D’Liner Bus to Baler. If not, you can take the shuttle provided by the resort. Make sure that you inform Ate Merly, the person in charge of the resort, the night before departure. Fare is P200 per pax. The last trip for both Genesis and JoyBus is 0330PM.

After a short hiatus from traveling, I am finally able to return with a weekender to Dinadiawan Beach in the town of Dipaculao, Aurora.

A little over an hour from Baler, it’s more popular neighbor, Dinadiawan is quieter, more relaxing — an ideal place to just chill out and destress.

The crescent-shaped Dinadiawan Beach boasts of fine, “white” sand and one of the best sunrise I have ever seen… and with your back on the ocean, you can embrace the lush greenery of the mighty Sierra Madre!

The majestic Sierra Madre provides an excellent backdrop.

Dinadiawan Beach’s fine sand is a welcome respite to tired feet.

A spectacular sunrise to jumpstart your day.

A lone “life guard” keep a watchful eye on everyone.

Things to do

Aside from sitting on your butt downing your favorite beer or coffee (like I did) or suspended on a hammock, dreaming (like I did, too) or soaking the sun and sea (like EVERYONE else did!), you can hire a boat to take you to Pamwasan Cove.

Personally, I liked the water here, as it’s a whole lot clearer, more refreshing and, unlike the waters in Dinadiawan Beach, does not have that “fishy” smell. There are several spots where you can snorkel.

The beach is a little too “stony” and the seafloor a bit “grassy”, though. And during low tides, the locals gather here to pick up mollusks and seaweeds.

On a very hot day, Pamwasan Cove can be very dry and exhausting. Bring lotsa water.

You may also ride a tricycle and take a dip in the cool waters of “Sister” Falls… or “Daughter” Falls or “Dinadiawan” Falls or “Baby” Falls — the name varies, depending on who you ask. The falls is just a 5-minute easy trek from the highway. I was told that the LGU or baranggay there usually collects a minimal entrance fee of P50, but since I was just “solo” and the trike driver who accompanied me happened to be a ka-tropa, the fee was “waived”. I didn’t take a lot of photos as I was too preoccupied enjoying the cool waters.

The kids who happened to be playing nearby “berated” me for not going there during the summer months.

On lazy afternoons, you can hook up with other guests, and some “village boys”, for a friendly game of beach volleyball (or wacky dance like the guy in the blue board short is doing 😀). I’m not much of a ball player but a flower sniffer, so I just contended myself to just being a passive participant and took these.

Where to stay

To tell you the truth, if not for this:

I wouldn’t have given this place much thought, as I’ve been to much better beaches.

Like this:

The Mediator

Seeing with real eyes will make you realize the real lies....

I am.

So the first thing to be understood is that the mind is an indirect process. Senses are direct: I can touch you with my hand, but I cannot touch you with my mind. I can see you through my eyes, but I cannot see you through my mind. The mind is enclosed within me and there is no bridge from the mind to reach you directly. If the mind wants to reach you directly, some medium will be needed. If the mind wants to see you, it will see through the eyes. To touch you, it will touch through the hands. A medium, an agency, a mediator, will be needed. Mind needs a mediator.

Gallery

Taking a dip at the hotel pool despite the chilly mountain breeze of Banaue…